Fulton junior Jenny McCarty sums up the competitive streak of her teammate, senior Corri Hamilton, rather simply.
"I like to win, but I like to be happy," McCarty said. "She'll kill someone to win and I'm less likely to kill someone."
Ask the same question of Hamilton and she describes her teammate and frequent opponent in the 1,600 meters in a similarly succinct and humorous manner.
"I know Jenny doesn't like to lose, but at the same time, she's one of those girls who will talk to you while you're racing," Hamilton said. "... No trash talking, no wanting to know your time, she's just like, "I'm here, I'm happy to run, I'm going to talk to you about my puppy at home.'"
The manner in which Hamilton and McCarty motivate themselves may be different, but the results are the same. Both will compete in this afternoon's 1,600 finals at the Class 3 state track and field championships at Lincoln University's Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.